Home Remedies to Get Rid of Flies

Shoo Fly, Shoo!

Crystal Ray
Flies are exceptionally annoying, and it seems that no matter how quickly people close doors; flies sometimes make their way inside the house and garage. Even more mysteriously, flies seem to appear from nowhere, even when doors haven't been opened, and window screens are intact.

If pesky houseflies inundate your home or garage on a regular basis, and you're tired of swatting flies all day long, besides patching holes in screens, keeping your kitchen clean, and properly disposing of trash, there are home remedies you can try in an effort to get rid of flies that make their way into your house and garage. These home remedies are a good alternative to chemical sprays, traps, and store-bought flypaper; these home remedies are easy and inexpensive, and best of all, these home remedies work.

Homemade Flypaper

If you're tired of spending money on flypaper, consider making your own. Although flypaper isn't an attractive household accessory, this home remedy for catching flies is extremely effective, and it's very easy to make.

To make homemade flypaper you'll need a brown paper bag, scissors, string, and a shallow pan. You'll also need ½ cup of sweet maple syrup, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and two tablespoons of white sugar. Combine these ingredients in a shallow pan, and cut the brown paper bag into one-inch wide strips. Poke a hole in the top of each strip, and thread a string through each hole. Soak the strips in the sticky mixture for about eight hours. Remove the strips from the mixture, and after they stop dripping, hang them in areas where flies are a problem.

Bags of Water

One of the most effective home remedies to get rid of flies involves hanging clear plastic bags of water near outdoor entryways. This might sound like a ridiculous way to get rid of flies, but people who live on farms, and those who operate fruit stands use this home remedy to get rid of flies on a regular basis.

There is more than one theory behind this home remedy, and the first theory hinges on the natural instincts and the poor eyesight of flies. Clear bags of water are said to cast images that to a fly resemble spider webs, and flies steer clear of anything that resembles a web. The other theory claims the reflection of the water disorients flies, and this illusion is said to be an effective way to get rid of flies and greatly control their numbers. Whatever the reason, this home remedy is said to really work.

Simply fill gallon size bags of water about halfway full, and hang the bags outdoor areas where flies are a problem. Suspend the bags near entryways, garage doors, and anywhere else files seem to graze. According to this home remedy, you'll notice a great reduction in the fly population almost immediately.

Homemade Flytrap

If flies are a constant problem in and around your home, they can be coaxed into jars where they'll remain forever trapped. Simply place food that attracts flies in the bottom of a jar with a lid. Poke a couple of holes in the lid so the flies can enter the trap. After entering the jar, the flies won't be able to get back out. This home remedy to help get rid of flies is inexpensive, easy, and this simple homemade flytrap can be thrown away when you're ready to replace it with a new one.

Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat...   View profile

  • Do you want to learn more about flies? Visit Insects.org for facts about flies and other insects.
  • Consider making your own flypaper in an effort to get rid of flies.
  • Hanging clear plastic bags of water near outdoor entryways is said to get rid of flies.
  • Flies can be coaxed into jars where they�ll remain forever trapped.
Flies can survive inside a home for several months, and outdoors flies usually live between one and two months.

60 Comments

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  • Ruby (South Africa) 3/19/2011

    If the fly problem is in the kitchen; wipe all cupboard and table tops with Handy Andy .

  • Jim 2/14/2011

    Why do I have flies in my house even in the dead of winter with below zero temperatures and snow on the ground.

  • Bessie 12/17/2010

    You can make tape fly catchers, Get a piece of duct tape and put it sticky side up on a table or make a hole threw it and put string in it, Works really good (make sure not to touch the sticky part or it will make it less useful because the stickiness wares)

  • TRISH ODONNELL CHRISTMAS ISLAND INDIAN OCEAN 12/8/2010

    I own a busy cafe on this island and the effin flys are killing me - i've just started the water bags and hoping this will work - any other proven methods

  • becca 11/15/2010

    i hope it works because my mom is like yellin at me because we have a trillion flys i sorta did a different quiker way i just put syup on a plate lets see if it works

  • brian 7/20/2010

    just had a conservatory built and we have hundreds of flies on inside of glass roof.... any suggestions on how to get rid of them?

  • Terri 6/30/2010

    The water in the baggie worked for me! I used a sandwich bag, which was easier to thumb tack above the door.

  • Dawna 6/25/2010

    How Do One Get Rid Of Flies I Hate Them

  • margaret paddock 6/5/2010

    i have problems when cooking we get blue bottles flies in i cannot stand them

  • Help me 5/27/2010

    on the back door of our home we have a 16 X 20 awning. Yes we have plants under the awning and we also have flys that fly in circles under the awning. Why do they collect there and how do we irradicate them

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